Chapter 440: Apex
"I truly don't know how Lin Xiaoyou is capable of such feats."
"His martial prowess, medical skills, social grace—he's top-tier in every aspect. Truly a prodigy seen once in a century!"
Murong Yi Yun sighed with sincere admiration.
Over the years, he had seen his fair share of so-called young geniuses from the various prominent families.
But it was Lin Feng, a man from the secular world, who had truly impressed him.
Murong Yi Yun couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
'A young man as outstanding as Lin Feng, with such heaven-defying talent for his age... if only he could truly join the Murong Family and become one of us. How wonderful that would be.'
But after a moment of consideration, Murong Yi Yun shook his head with a bitter smile. He could only admit that his wish was in vain.
After all, Lin Feng had already rejected him outright on his very first day at the Murong Family's estate.
"Sigh... such a young hero. What a pity, what a pity."
He couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"Father, what's wrong?"
Seeing her father's expression, Murong Qian couldn't help but feel a little confused.
"Oh, it's nothing. Let's get ready to welcome Lin Xiaoyou."
Murong Yi Yun shook his head. He couldn't tell Murong Qian what he had just been thinking; he knew his daughter's personality well, after all.
Though she appeared cold and aloof, she was actually extremely devoted to him as her father.
If he once again showed his desire to recruit Lin Feng, this girl of his would probably pester Lin Feng endlessly.
Having spent a lifetime dealing with shrewd people, Murong Yi Yun could naturally see that a prodigy like Lin Feng would never be a subordinate to any power.
For a dragon among men like him, the best one could do was simply maintain a good relationship.
"Patriarch Murong, my apologies. I'm afraid I overstepped my bounds this time."
Just as Murong Yi Yun was reigning in his wandering thoughts, Lin Feng's calm voice came from outside, followed by a corpse being thrown directly in from the doorway.
Turning to look, even though he had mentally prepared himself, Murong Yi Yun's heart still couldn't help but clench when he truly saw Murong Yuan's pale, lifeless face.
He was, after all, his own brother, who had grown up with him since childhood.
But upon remembering what the man had done, Murong Yi Yun forcefully suppressed the indescribable feeling in his heart.
"What are you saying, Lin Xiaoyou? If it weren't for you this time, I'm afraid my entire Murong Family would have been annihilated."
"Please accept my bow. In the future, if there is anything you need, Lin Xiaoyou, you have only to ask."
With that, Murong Yi Yun clasped his fists and gave Lin Feng a deep bow, his tone respectful and sincere.
To be honest, for him, the Patriarch of the Murong Family, to perform such a deep bow to Lin Feng could be considered excessive.
Many of the Murong Family's Elders and older generation members present, who were not close to Lin Feng, stared with wide eyes at this scene, clearly in disbelief.
But unlike those Elders, Murong Yi Yun knew full well what a rare figure Lin Feng was!
The relationship between the Murong Family and this prodigy had already fractured because of Murong Yuan's actions. As the Patriarch, he naturally had to find a way to mend it!
"I don't deserve such a gesture."
Lin Feng shook his head and stepped to the side, not accepting Murong Yi Yun's bow.
Although Patriarch Murong currently seemed to be at the level of an ordinary person, Lin Feng knew he should not accept this bow.
After all, the one who did wrong was only Murong Yuan; it had nothing to do with Murong Yi Yun.
He wasn't the type to punish the innocent, and there was no need to implicate an entire faction because of one person's actions.
"You are too kind, Young Hero Lin."
"I wonder, were you injured at all during this ordeal, Lin Xiaoyou?"
"While my Murong Family may not be an extremely powerful faction, we do have some medicinal herbs and pills. If you have any need for them, I can have someone fetch them right now."
Seeing that Lin Feng was truly not angry, Murong Yi Yun gestured for the body to be removed as he spoke to Lin Feng.
He had just given face; now it was time to give substance.
If one wanted to build a good relationship with a powerful individual, words had to be backed by actions. Otherwise, an already average relationship could become even worse.
"Mm."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng paused for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, I will trouble the Patriarch."
After speaking, right in front of everyone, Lin Feng sat down in a chair, closed his eyes, and began to rest.
His posture made it clear that he was in no hurry, and that he was leaving it up to Murong Yi Yun to choose what to offer.
Seeing this, Murong Yi Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He considered himself to have met countless people in his life.
But this was the first time he had ever met a young man like Lin Feng—someone who always avenged his grievances, yet was so clear-cut about gratitude and grudges.
And most importantly, Lin Feng exuded an extremely dangerous aura.
He knew that Lin Feng wasn't deliberately putting on an act; he truly possessed that kind of strength.
This was also why, even though Lin Feng had killed Murong Yuan, Murong Yi Yun still felt no resentment toward him.
It was an authority that stemmed from his very presence.
The other high-ranking members of the Murong Family were also completely baffled. They had never met Lin Feng before.
This was especially true for Murong Qian. She had known Lin Feng the longest, and it was because of her that he had come to the Murong Family in the first place.
But she had never seen this domineering side of Lin Feng before. He was like a completely different person from his usual self.
But Murong Yi Yun quickly understood. He knew that his gamble today had paid off!
And with a simple glance from him, several Murong Family members hurried forward to remove the table in front of Lin Feng, replacing it with a teacup and fragrant tea.
Murong Yi Yun took a light sip of the fragrant tea to wet his throat, then looked up at Lin Feng and said, "Lin Xiaoyou, you must be quite weary today. Why not first sample our Murong Family's special tea, Flowing Cloud Essence, to relieve your fatigue?"
"The Patriarch actually brought out the Flowing Cloud Essence?"
Hearing Murong Yi Yun's words, the eyes of the surrounding Murong Family Elders instantly lit up.
The Murong Family's special tea was brewed using Top-Grade Spirit Stones. It was no exaggeration to say that every single leaf was exceptionally precious and of extraordinary value.
Not only did this tea have an incredibly unique and refreshing taste, but it also had indescribable benefits for an Ancient Martial Artist's meridians and body.
While it couldn't produce immediate results like a Spiritual Medicine, long-term consumption would make a Martial Artist's Inner Strength purer and would also strengthen their organs and meridians to a certain degree!
Even they, masters at the Innate Realm who had been with the Murong Family for decades, didn't get to drink it even once a year.
For Murong Yi Yun to be willing to bring out his personal treasure to serve Lin Feng showed just how much importance he placed on him.
Lin Feng gave a slight nod.
And this gesture of his, in the eyes of the Murong Family members, was astonishing.
The very thing they dreamed of, when placed before Lin Feng, earned nothing more than a simple nod?